Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo a hit with anglers, spectators

Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo: June 14, 2014Fishermen and spectators turn out for the inaugural Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club in Pensacola, Fla. on Saturday, June 14, 2014. (Dennis Pillion | dpillion@al.com)

PENSACOLA, Florida -- The inaugural Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo is winding down at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club on Perdido Key, but the first-time event has left an impression with the 718 anglers who registered, and dozens of spectators who took to the Yacht Club to watch the boats unload their haul.

"These people are treating us nicer than any tournament we've ever fished," said James Lang, who weighed in an impressive inshore haul on Friday and a cooler full of big sheepshead Saturday. "I'm definitely going to put the word out to my friends about this tournament."

Bob Shipp, who has been the judge for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo 31 times, was in his familiar spot behind the scales for this new event. Though he was one of many familiar faces to the ADSFR, he said he noticed some differences between the two events.

"I think it's really neat (to have this tournament)," Shipp said. "I don't think the fishermen are quite as serious here, but they're certainly having a lot of fun."

As the fishermen unloaded their catch on a docked barge that served at the tournament weigh station, spectators watched from the sandy beach area of the Yacht Club as live musicians (and occasional fishermen) came out on stage to give the crowd a show.

Vendor tents were set in one part of the parking lot, and Flora-Bama Yacht Club staff served fish tacos, cheeseburgers and hot dogs to registered anglers in the tournament.

David Rogers of Mobile caused some excitement when he brought in a 30.10-pound African pompano to the check station. Pompano were not a category in the tournament, so the fish would only count toward the most unusual category.

"I think it's a great tournament," Rogers said. "I'm looking forward to it being a yearly event."

Other notable catches brought in Saturday afternoon included a 42-pound stingray caught from the beach by Jerry Pelham, and a 77-pound yellowfin tuna brought in by James Piteo.

See the photo gallery and video above for more scenes from the first Flora-Bama Fishing Rodeo and check back later for the final tournament results.